CERTIFICATE TO HIS MAJESTY, 



TOUCHING THE PROJECTS OF 



SIR STEPHEN PROCTOR, 



RELATING TO 



THE PENAL LAWS. 



IT MAY PLEASE YOUR SACRED MAJESTY, 



WITH the first free time from your majesty s service 

 of more &quot;present dispatch, I have perused the pro 

 jects of Sir Stephen Proctor, and do find it a 

 collection of extreme diligence and inquisition, and 

 more than I thought could have met in one man s 

 knowledge. For though it be an easy matter to 

 run over many offices and professions, and to note in 

 them general abuses or deceits ; yet, nevertheless, 

 to point at and trace out the particular and covert 

 practices, shifts, devices, tricks, and, as it were, 

 stratagems in the meaner sort of the ministers of 

 justice or public service, and to do it truly and 

 understandingly, is a discovery whereof great good 

 use may be made for your majesty s service and good 

 of your people. But because this work, I doubt 

 not, hath been to the gentleman the work of years, 

 whereas my certificate must be the work but of 

 hours or days, and that it is commonly and truly said, 



